The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program (pictures)

The next generation of strike aircraft for the Navy, Air Force, and Marines.

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In formation

Three F-35 A-Variant fighter planes are seen here in formation.

The fighter's propulsion system features the most powerful fighter/attack turbofans in the world, according to the Pentagon. But a crack recently discovered in one of the turbine blades is the reason for the current grounding of the next-generation fighter jet.

The Pratt & Whitney F135 engine family consists of a three-stage fan, a six-stage compressor, an annular combustor, a single-stage high-pressure turbine, and a two-stage low-pressure turbine.

Money-saving diagnostics

The F-35 will have next-generation Autonomic Logistics (AL) -- essentially advanced diagnostics that will assist with systems monitoring, maintenance, and prognostics to support the aircraft. The Pentagon says that historically, more-traditional diagnostics have accounted for two-thirds of an aircraft's life-cycle cost.

A protective sphere for pilots

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control and Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems have designed the sensor array technology for the F-35, which the Pentagon says will provide pilots with a unique protective sphere around the aircraft for enhanced situational awareness, missile warning, aircraft warning, day/night pilot vision, and fire-control capabilities.

Electro-Optical Targeting System

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control and Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems have also developed the Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS), which provides extended range detection and precision targeting against ground targets, including advanced long range detection of air-to-air threats.

High-tech helmet

Vision Systems International has developed the advanced Helmet Mounted Display System (HMDS) for the F-35, which will enhance the pilot's situational awareness and ability to access the wide array of sensor data.

Satellite communications

The Pentagon says the F-35 will possess a satellite communications capability that integrates beyond-line-of-sight communications and will lead the defense community in the migration to the Net-centric war-fighting force of the future.

The Air Force's F-35A

F-35 weapons integration

The F-35 will be capable of carrying both U.S. and allied weapons. From JDAMs to Sidewinders to the UK Storm Shadow, the F-35 has been designed to carry either internally or externally a large array of weapons.